foi-nigeria

Irish Sports Diplomacy Programme launched in Lagos

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:19:29 GMT

Irish Sports Diplomacy Programme launched in Lagos

Minister Jack Chambers visited St Finbarr’s College in Lagos during his St Patrick’s Day visit to Nigeria, where he was welcomed by staff, students and alumni.

Founded by the late Father Dennis Slattery, the College has been at the heart of Ireland - Nigeria relations for decades and excels in sport.

So it was the perfect place for the Minister to launch the Embassy of Ireland’s very first Sports Diplomacy Programme bringing together staff and students from across Lagos.

The Minister thanked Aduke Gomez of the FoIN and Remi Desalu for working with Team Ireland to realise the Sports Diplomacy Programme.

New Embassy officially opens in Abuja

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:15:20 GMT

New Embassy officially opens in Abuja

The visiting Irish Government Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, has formally opened the new office of the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, Nigeria. He was joined at the commissioning event by Minister Wysom Nike, the high profile Minister for the Federal Capital Territory.

The office and event space will serve as a hub to advance Ireland’s interests in Nigeria and across the neighbouring countries of West Africa.

The office is part of the Government’s Global Ireland strategy to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint, which also included new embassies in Morocco and Senegal.

Minister Chambers said:

“Today’s opening of the new Embassy building marks an exciting new chapter in Ireland’s engagement in Abuja, the capital of Africa’s largest nation. It is a testament to and a clear signal of our Government’s commitment to build on the excellent relationship we enjoy with Nigeria, and the wider West African region.

“With a population of more than 200 million people, Nigeria is an important strategic partner for the European Union, and its Member States, and so it is fitting that the new Embassy is co-located on the European Union compound. I believe that this co-location will drive further collaboration between our diplomatic teams, as well as state agencies, providing a platform to unlock new opportunities that will further benefit both Ireland and Nigeria.

“Nigeria was the location of Ireland’s first diplomatic presence in Africa, reflecting the long-standing ties between our two countries. The new Embassy building commemorates this legacy. For example, the main event space will be named after Roger Casement, an iconic figure in Irish history who began his work in Old Calabar, in southern Nigeria. His legacy continues today through the Roger Casement Fellows whose human rights-related studies in Ireland are supported under the Irish Government’s Fellowship Programme.”

The programme of Minister Chambers in Nigeria also included a range of political, business and community activities in Abuja and Lagos.

Legislative Mentorship Initiative led by Maynooth University Alumnus

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:58:29 GMT

Legislative Mentorship Initiative led by Maynooth University Alumnus

Congratulations to Ms. Solape Sonuga, ED of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) on the successful training of the third cohort of

young people drawn from all Nigerian States to participate in the 3 week programme in Abuja to nurture and encourage future leaders.

Solape is a Roger Casement Fellow, and successfully undertaken a Masters Degree Programme in Maynooth University under the

Irish Government’s Programme.

Ambassador Ryan met with Solape and the 2025 LMI participants & welcomed closer engagement in the years ahead.

Click here for more information on LMI Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI)

and on Maynooth University Maynooth University

Guinness Nigeria @75

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 22:34:26 GMT

Guinness Nigeria @75 - 8 December 2025

Friends of Ireland Aduke Gomez and Honorary Consul Connie Guilfoyle joined Ambassador Ryan & lots of distinguished guests, including Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry for a night to remember in the Lagos Continental Hotel marking the 75 ^th Anniversary of Guinness Nigeria.

General Manager Karl Hala made sure everything was top notch in terms of f & B while our good friend Rotimi Odsula gave us a warm fáilte. And a performance to remember by the legendary Sir Shina Peters.

Congrats to CEO Girishi Sharma and his team and good luck for the next 75 years building on the proud legacy of St James Gate and Nigeria.

Take a look at the special documentary made by Guinness for the 75 ^th Anniversary Guinness @ 75 Documentary

Fela Kuti - Afrobeat Rebellion

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 22:31:06 GMT

Fela Kuti - Afrobeat Rebellion - 7 December 2025

Led by Friends of Ireland’s Aduke Gomez, Ambassador Ryan, Joke Silva and other special guests joined a special visit to the Afrobeat Rebellion exhibition at the Ecobank Pan African Centre where they ran into Julie McKay of the US Embassy and lots of other cool friends.

Great initiative by the French Embassy in Nigeria & Ecobank to team up to bring the Fela Kuti exhibition ‘home’ to Lagos, home to The Shrine and where Fela’s legacy can be seen every day.

Afrobeat Rebellion continues until the end of the year – see Afrobeat Rebellion '25 – FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI

Aduke Gomez in Conversation with Tunde Jegede, Master Kora Player

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:04:05 GMT

Aduke Gomez in Conversation with Tunde Jegede, Master Kora Player

Friends of Ireland hosted renowned composer and Master Kora player Tunde Jegede for an intimate performance in Loving Lagos.

Following a performance on the kora, Tunde had a lively conversation with Aduke Gomez, bringing guests (online and in person)

through his introduction to the kora, his work at MUSON and with international musicians.

Ambassador Ryan joined the event and was interested in Tunde’s Irish family connections as well as his work with Irish traditional musicians

such as the late Micheal O’ Suilleabhain & Donal Lunny.

See a clip of Tunde’s performance here

Special Delivery from Ireland for Air Peace

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:45:00 GMT

Special Delivery from Ireland for Air Peace

Friends of Ireland send our congratulations to Aer Cap, the Irish aviation leasing firm on the delivery of a Boeing jet from Shannon Airport to Air Peace, the first such ‘dry lease’ plane to Nigeria in over 10 years.

Ambassador Ryan and John Hines joined Minister Festus Keyamo, Chairman Allen Onyema and the Aer Cap team for the handover at Lagos Airport with lots of great media coverage of Ireland’s leading role in the aviation sector. The Ambassador recognised all of the important work by the Minister, FAAN, the Irish Aviation Authority and their counterparts as well as Air Peace & looked forward to further strengthening of links in the sector.

Remembering Fr John Keane SMA

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:44:28 GMT

Remembering Fr John Keane SMA. October 29, 2025

Friends of Ireland send condolences to the family, friends and fellow religious in Nigeria and Ireland on the passing of Fr John Keane from County Kerry who passed away on 15 October 2025.

Ambassador Ryan travelled to Kaduna State to join the Society of African Missions (SMA) and the local community as the Bishop of Bauchi Most Rev Hilary Nanman Dachelem officiated at the internment of the remains of the late Rev Fr Keane SMA.

There was a large attendance of religious and community members amongst the mourners including Father Mark Monaghan SMA from County Tyrone, Father Donal O Cathain SMA from Cork and Sister Kathleen McGarvey from Donegal.

The large attendance at the funeral services were testament to the extraordinary service of the late Father John to the people of Gombe and Nigeria.

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

50 years of service by the Little Sisters of the Poor, Enugu

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:49:19 GMT

Ambassador Ryan joined the special community celebration marking 50 years of service by the Little Sisters of the Poor for the elderly of Enugu. Their facility was supported by the people of Ireland. While in Enugu he visited the Centre for Memories and joined the young men of St Patrick’s Parish.

The Ireland Fellows Programme

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:46:48 GMT

Minster Neale Richmond welcomed the 2025/26 Ireland Fellows as they begin their studies in Ireland. The Ireland Fellows Programme supports 225 future leaders from 49 countries to study in universities across Ireland for one year. Build ing lasting relationships for the future. Delighted to see our wonderful Nigerian and Ghanaian students present and wish them well for their Masters Degree Programmes in Ireland.

Africa Ireland Trade Horizons Conference

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:44:04 GMT

The Africa Ireland Trade Horizons conference in Dublin in mid-June saw Aviation Minister HE Hon Festus Keyamo and a delegation from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry join Irish and African business people.

“Ireland’s partnership with Africa is constantly strengthening and evolving” was the message from Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris TD who highlighted the huge potential for growth for mutually-beneficial trade over the years ahead.

Meeting with HE BosunTijani

Mon, 19 May 2025 12:49:36 GMT

Ambassador Ryan & Ms. Maryanne Tosin, Political & Economic Officer, met with HE Bosun Tijani,

the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy in Abuja for a timely and useful exchange

on a range of topics, including a future visit by the Minister to Ireland & the planned visit to Nigeria later

this year of Garry Connolly, Founder of Host in Ireland as part of the Embassy’s Economic Speakers Series.

Cultúr Club 2025

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:10:21 GMT

The Embassy partnered with the Friends of Ireland in Nigeria to host the very first Cultúr Club for children aged 5-12.

The children enjoyed an exciting morning of Irish storytelling, art, dance, music and sport at the Priory Preparatory School,

hosted by Mrs. Alice Dina. Thanks to Ms. Aduke Gomez for her storytelling and to Nathan, Ronan and Colm, our visiting

Irish musicians and dancer for making the Club so memorable for the children. Looking forward to many more such Cultύr

Clubs. As we say at home - Mol and óige is tiocfaidh sí – Let the youth flourish.

Special Award for Ms. Aduke Gomez from President Higgins

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:10:08 GMT

Ms. Aduke Gomez travelled to Dublin, Ireland to receive a Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D Higgins

The Awards recognise the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland. The Awards were first awarded in 2012 to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora and just 120 people have been conferred with the award. Ms. Gomez was recognised for her work to promote the culture and heritage of Lagos as well as the links between Nigeria and Ireland.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Higgins said:

“The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards enable us, as a nation, to recognise those members of our global family who have contributed, in their different ways, so significantly to Ireland’s reputation on the international stage as a country that understands the migratory experience, its challenges, responsibilities and the part that transience plays in all of our shared lives.

This evening’s awardees follow in the footsteps of all those others, heralded or unheralded, feted or forgotten, whose quiet determination to make a contribution beyond the self makes us all proud of them and whom we also remember here today.

That spirit of generosity, and those qualities of an inward being and an inclusive outward gaze which so exemplify the best of our Irishness, have been practically and magnificently demonstrated by our honoured guests through their lives, their work, and their contribution of distinguished service to Ireland and to Irish communities abroad.

Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, may I thank you deeply for representing Ireland so well, and for your personal efforts, service, sacrifices, and contribution to the achievement of excellence in your various fields. Mo bhuíochas libh uilig.”

St Brigid's Day with Susan Hayes Culleton, 2025

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:09:55 GMT

Ambassador Ryan and Honorary Consul Guilfoyle hosted the annual Saint Brigid’s Day gathering at the Honorary Consul’s Residence in Lagos which was attended by a very special guest from Ireland, Susan Hayes Culleton, who visited Nigeria as part of Team Ireland’s Economic Speakers Series. At the gathering, Susan met with some great Friends of Ireland based in Lagos, sharing some insights from her work in Ireland and learning from them on the challenges and opportunities in Lagos.

In her own words, here is a quick recap of Susan’s visit to Nigeria

“Back in Ireland after a most memorable week in #Lagos and #Abuja , #Nigeria ! Thank you sincerely to Peter Ryan for his kind invitation to, and designing a programme whereby, I

- worked with 150 Savvy Teens in two schools (St Finbarr’s and Knosk ‘100 Naira a Day’ School, Abuja)

- facilitated a 100 person dialogue shaping the international office at VERITAS UNIVERSITY ABUJA

- s poke at a female leaders roundtable discussion at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Dr. Chinyere Almona

- presented to a group of young professionals at Jameson Yard (which might have been the first event of a new women’s network in Lagos)

- gave the second ever public lecture at African School of Economics focusing on 100 years of economic history in Ireland

- led an entrepreneurial workshop at Mama Nike’s art gallery with some wonderful artists

- shared my perspective on how traditional economic models underestimate the contribution of women to global GDP during a St. Brigid’s Day with a phenomenal group of women at the Honorary Consul Resdience

- participated in a most insightful conversation at a dinner at the Irish Embassy in Nigeria with Joy Rademene Asonye and several other people very passionate about the country as well as what’s shaping its future

- discussed experiences of structured active peer learning and company school interaction with Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University

- had a really enjoyable and interesting about life and business over dinner with Alice Dina

- traversed Lagos in the wonderful company of Aduke Gomez who has an admirably rounded history of the place with sharp insights of its evolving society that she shares in such an endearing way

Thank you Africa for a week I will remember, and treasure, forever”.

St Patrick’s Day – Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2025

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:59:24 GMT

Ambassador Ryan and Honorary Consul Guilfoyle hosted the annual Saint Patrick’s Day reception at the Honorary Consul’s Residence in Lagos which was attended by Team Ireland colleagues and many great Friends of Ireland.

Around 100 guests, drawn from across the Lagos business scene and Irish Community enjoyed a memorable event with Irish traditional music and dance from Nathan, Ronan and Colm as well as fabulous High Life music. A highlight was the recognition of Ms. Aduke Gomez who was presented with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award by the President of Ireland in January 2025.

Click here to get a sense of what was an evening to remember. (I’ll send you on the video)

To get the day off to the best possible start, Mrs Alice Dina was joined by Ambassador Ryan for the second annual Saint Patrick’s Day Business Breakfast, kindly hosted by Paul Kavanagh at The Wheatbaker.

The CEO of Open Access, Tunde Coker spoke of his experience in working with the Irish data centre sector and the potential for further partnerships between Ireland and Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Ambassador acknowledged the momentum in business links and recognised the presence of representatives from the tech, finance, education, agrifood and services sectors.

And guests enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast as well as Irish traditional music and dance and even our Saint Patrick’s Day Keke!

Visit to Maryland, Lagos

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:14 GMT

Visit to Maryland, Lagos

Ambassador Ryan and Aduke Gomez were invited to visit Maryland School in Lagos where they received a warm Céad Míle Fáilte, and enjoyed Irish and Nigerian dancing & music also. It is a real privilege as Irish people in Nigeria to see at first hand the affection for the missionaries from Ireland, Nigeria & beyond who devoted their lives to the young people of Nigeria – in this case the OLA Sisters. May their memory be a blessing.

Lagos Book and Art Festival 2024

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:12 GMT

Lagos Book and Art Festival 2024

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Abuja International Theatre Festival 2024

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:11 GMT

Abuja International Theatre Festival 2024

Team Ireland partnered with the Abuja International Theatre Festival for a SIAMSA night of storytelling & song as the finale to the 2024 Festival. Míle buíochas especially to our Bean an Tí Aduke Gomez, Bean an Tí Ríon McCall Magan, Jerry Adesewo & Bisi Adigun.

Visit of Dr Robert Flood, Technological University of Dublin

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:06 GMT

Visit of Dr Robert Flood, Technological University of Dublin

Friends of Ireland in Nigeria delighted to connect with Dr Flood during his visit to

Lagos and Abuja in October. TUD is home to the largest cohort of Nigerian students and

Irish-Nigerian students in Ireland and we look forward to working closely to connect

with their alumni as well as supporting their outreach work in Nigeria.

Lagos International Poetry Festival

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:05 GMT

Lagos International Poetry Festival

The Embassy teamed up with the Friends of Ireland in Nigeria to present a poetry evening for the scrapbook in a packed Glover Hall, hosted by theatre legend Joké Silva with 50 young Nigerian poets, the ZODML Young Poets Competition finalists with the stars of the Lagos International Poetry Festival including Dagogo Hart who’s visit was supported by Culture Ireland. All expertly curated by Aduke Gomez.

ZODML - Encouraging Young Nigerian Poets

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:04 GMT

ZODML - Encouraging Young Nigerian Poets

The Embassy and Friends of Ireland in Nigeria partnered with the 2024 ZODML Poetry Competition and the talented Ireland-based poet and performer Dagogo Hart (who’s visit was supported by Culture Ireland) hosted a writing and performance masterclass for the finalists. Thanks to Aduke Gomez for her contribution as a member of the Judging Panel for the Competition which attracted entries from university students across the country.

If you haven’t yet been to ZODML make sure to do so soon – it is a wonderful, family-founded organisation which works to provide free reading resources to children & adults in Lagos and beyond. Bravo to Ifeoma Esiri and her family who do such incredible work for their community.

St Finbarr's Alumni Gala 2024

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:52:01 GMT

St Finbarr's Alumni Gala 2024

Friends of Ireland in Nigeria Chair Alice Dina and Aduke Gomez joined Ambassador Ryan at the annual St Finbarr’s Alumni Gala hosted by Patrick Doyle with guest speakers former President Obasanjo and former Governor Donald Duke.

Patrick shared updates on the work of the alumni to support the development of the ‘Fr Dennis Slattery Science Block’ currently in planning

Association of Nigerian Authors Celebrating Soyinka's 90th Birthday

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:51:59 GMT

Association of Nigerian Authors Celebrating Soyinka's 90th Birthday

Ambassador Ryan and Aduke Gomez attended and addressed the Association of Nigerian Authors annual conference in Abuja in August celebrating Wole Soyinka at 90.

Ms. Gomez introduced the Embassy’s publication ‘Trailing a Seaweed Cord‘ Irish Nigerian poetry collection and the Ambassador spoke of the strong support from Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and the Embassy for the cultural work ongoing in Nigeria’s capital city.

Meeting with Governor of Bayelsa State

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:51:58 GMT

Meeting with Governor of Bayelsa State

Ambassador met with the Governor of Bayelsa State, HE Sen. Douye Diri together with his EU colleagues in June. Useful exchange on areas of potential collaboration with Ireland including education, agriculture, blue economy & renewable energy.

Jameson Irish Whiskey Buj, Beats & Barrel

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:51:55 GMT

Jameson Irish Whiskey Buj, Beats & Barrel

Deputy Head of Mission Ronan McGurrin caught up with the Jameson Nigeria team ahead of the launch of their Buj, Beats & Barrel event at Doxa Park in Abuja in May – a wonderful success for a great team who continue to do incredible work in pioneering the Irish Whiskey sector in Nigeria. Sláinte.

Meeting with Edo State Commissioner for Arts

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:51:53 GMT

Meeting with Edo State Commissioner for Arts

Ambassador Ryan welcomed the Hon Ms Oduwa, Edo State Commissioner For Arts, Culture, Tourism & Diaspora Affairs to the Embassy for a timely and interesting exchange on partnership with Ireland.

St Patrick's Day 2024

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:38 GMT

St Patrick's Day 2024

A highlight of St Patrick’s Day 2024 was the visit of Minister Seán Fleming, who has responsibility for International Development and the Diaspora in the Irish Government.

The Minister undertook a busy programme in Nigeria (before going onto Ghana), and met with his counterpart, Minister Tuggar before travelling to Lagos where he delivered remarks at the first St Patrick’s Day Business Breakfast hosted by The Wheatbaker, and addressed the annual reception hosted by Honorary Consul Guilfoyle. Amongst the highlights of the Minister’s visit to Lagos was his time at St Finbarr’s College and thanks to Fr Emmanuel, Fr Andrew, the students, faculty & the great Patrick Doyle for facilitating the visit. Thanks also to Fred Coker for arranging for the Minister and his delegation to visit Apapa Port.

Ireland at Fintech Nigeria

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:36 GMT

Collaboration between Irish and Nigerian Fintech

As part of the support extended by Enterprise Ireland during Nigeria Fintech Week 2024, five leading Irish fintech companies – AG2, Daon, ESCA, Fexco, and Tola Mobile – participated in tailored B2B meetings, offering direct engagement with key Nigerian financial, fintech, and technology entities.

These targeted meetings, organised to align with each company’s business objectives, facilitated meaningful discussions with Nigerian entities such as Access Bank, Flutterwave, Interswitch, MoMo PSB (MTN), Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Pan-Atlantic University, Union Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa, and many others. The meetings provided opportunities to explore collaborations in areas such as digital identity solutions, secure document processing, payment services, and mobile money solutions.

The five Irish companies also had the opportunity to attend Nigeria Fintech Week 2024, organised by the Fintech Association of Nigeria, and MoonShot by TechCabal. Both events offered valuable insights into Nigeria’s evolving fintech market and enhanced their networking opportunities with local industry players.

The positive reception from both the Irish and Nigerian companies reinforced the value of these strategic B2B engagements. The tailored approach ensured that Irish fintech solutions were effectively positioned to address the unique challenges and opportunities present in the Nigerian market, laying a strong foundation for future partnerships.

Ireland and Sustainable Finance Day, Lagos 2024

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:34 GMT

Ireland and Sustainable Finance Day, Lagos 2024

To mark Sustainable Finance Day 2024 and to support innovation by young people in Nigeria, Team Ireland partnered with the Financial Centre for Sustainability Lagos (FC4S) and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC). We were delighted also to connect with our counterparts from Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden & the United States.

Thanks to Thessa Bagu, Representative of Enterprise Ireland in Nigeria, who joined the event and highlighted the benefits of enhanced Irish-Nigerian collaboration in tech innovation.

And a very special word of thanks to Elaine Delaney, MD/CEO of Quantum Fund Management Ltd, and the Friends of Ireland in Nigeria, who joined the Judging Panel for the SDG Hackathon and shared her experience and advice with the young finalists who had been selected from the 130+ applicants.

Reflecting the dynamism of the Nigerian tech sector, the applicants had an average age of 24 and the shortlisted 36 teams were selected for a bootcamp at the Nigerian Climate Innovation Center at the Lagos Business School.

In the Ambassador’s remarks at the event he emphasised Ireland's support for the UNDP's work in supporting the development and implementation of the Sustainable Finance Roadmap for Lagos. He recognised the leadership of Emmanuel Etadheri of FC4S and Bankole Oloruntoba of NCIC in building the industry expertise and in connecting closely with international partners, including Stephen Nolan the Dublin-based Managing Director and Head of Secretariat, UNDP FC4S.

Dagogo Hart visit to Ghana & Nigeria

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:33 GMT

Dagogo Hart visit to Ghana & Nigeria

We were delighted to welcome the talented Dagogo Hart who performed at the Pa Gya! festival in Accra Ghana, the Abuja Literary and Arts Festival, the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST), the ZODML Annual Poetry Competition Finals and undertook a range of masterclasses and workshops for young people. Dagogo is a standout performer and poet and his visit was pulled together with the support of Culture Ireland. We look forward to many more collaborations with Dagogo who also penned a poem for our ‘Things Fall Apart’ collection.

SIAMSA – Irish and African storytelling

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:30 GMT

SIAMSA – Irish and African storytelling

Our SIAMSA gatherings in Abuja and Lagos have been wonderful occasions for sharing Irish, African and Nigerian storytelling and music. It is always great to be joined by Friends of Ireland in Nigeria & we look forward to many more SIAMSA events and welcome opportunities to partner with groups and people too. Get in touch if you might like to attend or have some ideas for venues and themes. As the quote usually attributed to WB Yeats puts it ‘there are no strangers here, just friends who have not yet met’.

Seanachaí den scoth – Niall de Bύrca – Irish storyteller

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:28 GMT

Seanachaí den scoth – Niall de Bύrca – Irish storyteller

In early 2024, the Embassy organised the visit of the remarkable Niall de Bύrca who performed at the Lagos Theatre Festival in Freedom Park, Lagos as well as meeting traditional and contemporary storytellers in Abuja. We had lots of great Friends of Ireland in Nigeria join us in Freedom Park – thanks to Guinness for the amazing cocktails also! Niall travelled onto Ghana & performed with local storytellers in the University of Ghana & the Ghana Club in Accra. Niall travelled with the support of Culture Ireland and he is a history maker as he was the very first Irish performer at the Festivals in Lagos and Accra.

Trailing a Seaweed Cord

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:26 GMT

Contemporary Irish and Nigerian Poets on Wole Soyinka’s “Ulysses - Notes From Here to My Joyce Class

For Bloomsday 2024, to celebrate the 90 ^th Birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, the Embassy teamed up again with Poetry Ireland to publish ten poems by Irish and Nigerian poets on the theme of “Ulysses - Notes From Here to My Joyce Class”. Edited by Aduke Gomez, the publication is illustrated by Abdulkareem Aminu. Thanks to Paul Kavanagh for hosting us for a memorable Bloomsday lunch The Wheatbaker with special guest Prof Wole Soyinka. We will announce the details of the book launches shortly so watch this space.

New Parliamentary Friendship Group

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 20:25:09 GMT

New Parliamentary Friendship Group

Hon Professor Dr Paul Nnamchi (Enugu State) has been appointed as the Chair of the Nigeria-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group – the other members include Deputy Chairman Hon Yusuf Ahmed Doro (Katsina State), Hon Aminu Sani Jaji (Zamfara State), Hon Ahmed Munir (Kaduna State), Hon Aliya Wakil Boye (xxx State) and Hon Oyedeji O. Najimdeen (xx State). The Ambassador and Ronan McGurrin met with the members of the group for a very lively discussion on how best to strengthen education, trade and cultural links in particular.

Talking Tech

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 20:20:54 GMT

Talking Tech with Minister Bosun Tijani

Ambassador and Ronan McGurrin from the Embassy met with Minister Bosun Tijani, who holds the key Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy portfolio to discuss opportunities for collaboration in tech & specifically in agritech, AI, R & D, the start-up ecosystem & education. As the Minister put it in his social media post following the meeting ‘Ireland also has one of the highest concentration of PhDs in Europe, so there is a great opportunity for us to collaborate in education’.

Launch of ‘Things Fall Apart’, 2023

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:55:44 GMT

FoIN was delighted to partner with the Embassy, Zodml and Poetry Ireland on a publication of new poetry marking the 100 ^th Anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Irishman WB Yeats.

With Irish and Nigerian poets and illustrators coming together in a collection published by Quaramo in Lagos and edited by our own Aduke Gomez, it truly is a perfect example of Irish-Nigerian partnership.

In Lagos, the book was launched in Freedom Park as part of the Lagos Book and Art Festival, with special readings at an event hosted by our Honorary Consul, Connie Guilfoyle while in Abuja, the book launch was hosted in the Embassy, with many very special guests present. Congratulations and thanks to all involved. (November)

Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Yusuf Tuggar

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:19:29 GMT

Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Yusuf Tuggar

Ambassador Ryan met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Yusuf Tuggar at a special event in Abuja, to highlight

the foreign policy approach of President Tinubu (the four Ds namely Democracy, Diaspora, Demography & Development).

Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, 2023

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:08:01 GMT

Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, 2023

Ambassador joined Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and 6,000+ participants (Physical and Virtual) for the 6th edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in Abuja. Impressive that Edizemi Onilenla & Evelyn Nomayo travelled from Ireland for the event and like so many others are working to depeen Irish-Nigerian links. Bail ó Dhia oraibh.

Ireland-Nigeria talking Technology 2023

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:04:23 GMT

Ireland-Nigeria talking Technology 2023

Ambassador and Thessa Bagu of Enterprise Ireland caught up with the Lagos Commissioner for Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, to discuss connecting Irish & Nigerian sectors to support our technology start-ups, training & research ecosystems.

World Education Day, Abuja 2023

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:01:05 GMT

World Education Day 2023

Marking World Education Day 2023, Ronan McGurrin, Third Secretary in the Embassy joined students and staff of ‘The KNOSK N100-a-day Secondary School’, which has been supported under the Irish Government’s humanitarian assistance programme.

For more information visit www.knoskeducation.org

Meeting with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 03:13:02 GMT

Meeting with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike

Ambassador Ryan met with the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to discuss the opportunities for closer partnership with a focus on the education, tech and agri sectors.

The Ambassador also emphasised the importance of the cultural dimension underpinning Irish society and highlighted the positive role of the Nigerian Diaspora in Ireland.

For the Irish, Siamsa storytelling tradition as a way of life

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:28:55 GMT

For the Irish, Siamsa storytelling tradition as a way of life

By Anote Ajeluorou

YOU could almost say that like Africa like the Irish when it comes to storytelling traditions, a tradition that runs deep in the veins of the Irish with its 5.033 million people and over 65 million immigrants worldwide. And if there’s something they take with them everywhere they go, it is the storytelling tradition, a great cultural heritage they are immensely proud of. That tradition has a unique name just like Africa has its moonlight folktales sessions. Siamsa is what the Irish call it, that tradition of storytelling that also serves as news or local gossip about the happenings next door. Like Africa, Ireland has had an extraordinary amd excruciating history that is steeped in slave trade, the great famine, forced labour, migration and all manners of colonial injustices visited upon her people by her more powerful neighbour, England.

Authors, Historians Seek Weaponisation Of History For Development

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:25:33 GMT

A feature from TVC on the Irish-Nigerian panel chaired by Aduke Gomez at QFest 2023, Lagos

Africa Professionals Network of Ireland.

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:15:37 GMT

Africa Professionals Network of Ireland

While in Dublin in late October, Ambassador Ryan and Honorary Consul Guilfoyle met with some of the leadership of the Africa Professionals Network of Ireland.

Our meeting was very kindly hosted by Austin Currie. We look forward to working closely with the flourishing network which now has 3,000+ members.

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:28 GMT

Congrats to everyone involved in this new publication which celebrates of Black Irish identity.

Featuring profiles of Black Irish public figures from the worlds of pop culture, politics, sport, business and the arts.

This landmark publication in Irish history is a celebration of Black Irish identity. Featuring profiles of Black Irish public figures from the worlds of pop culture, politics, sport, business and the arts. Includes Ruth Negga, Gavin Bazunu, Phil Lynott, Paul McGrath, Emma Dabiri, Rhasidat Adeleke and Dami Hope. Published in collaboration with Black and Irish.

Promoting Irish & European Union Higher Education, 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:28:27 GMT

Promoting Irish & European Union Higher Education, 2023

Team Ireland joined colleagues from across the European Union for Study in Europe Fairs in Kano and Lagos to promote

Higher Education in Ireland to young Nigerians.

Partnering with the World Food Programme in the North-East, 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:26:08 GMT

Partnering with the World Food Programme in the North-East, 2023

Deputy Head of Mission Shane Rice visited Borno in Northeast Nigeria with colleagues from the Canadian, German and Finnish Missions to see the vital work being carried out by the World Food Programme and partners supporting those most in need.

Official Launch of Friends of Ireland in Nigeria, 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:22:03 GMT

Official Launch of Friends of Ireland in Nigeria, 2023

Irish Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue, visiting from Ireland leading a trade mission of agri-food firms, officially launched the FoIN at a lunch event in Lagos on 12 September 2023. In his remarks, he recognised the important milestone the founding of the group marked for the Irish community and wider network in Nigeria and saluted in particular the contribution of our Honorary Consul Connie Guilfoyle to the welfare of our community. Councillor Yemi Adenuga from Navan, County Meath in Ireland joined the event as did members of the trade mission led by Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board).

St Finbarr’s College Lagos, 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:16:59 GMT

‘Where Finbarr taught let Munster learn’

The motto of University College Cork rang out to welcome Ambassador Ryan, Aduke Gomez to St Finbarr’s College in Lagos. Frs Andrew and Emmanuel, together with distinguished alumni led by Patrick Doyle, led the welcome party, just as they had hosted the successful alumni dinner where the Ambassador was joined by Alice Dina, Tunde Afolabi, Kieran Murphy and Aduke Gomez. St Finbarr’s is more than a school, it’s a community which is proud of its very special connection to Ireland & Cork through its Founder the late Fr Dennis Slattery. Founded in 1956, the College now has around 900 pupils in primary & secondary classes. FoIN will be working with the alumni and the Embassy to ensure that we nurture this special relationship for the next century, especially in the areas of training, sports, music and technology.

ECOWAS – Promoting Ireland’s economic links with West Africa, 2023

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:10:27 GMT

ECOWAS – Promoting Ireland’s economic links with West Africa, 2023

On 16 October, Ambassador Ryan was joined by Deputy Head of Mission Shane Rice as he presented his credentials to President Dr Omar Touray of ECOWAS in Abuja. Building Ireland’s links and mutual understanding with the West African economies is a key target in Ireland’s Africa Strategy.

A traditional welcome in Warri, 2023

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 20:13:33 GMT

A traditional welcome in Warri, 2023

In early October, Ambassador travelled to Warri in Delta State to meet with Ogiame Atuwatse III, Traditional Ruler of the Kingdom of Warri in Delta State. The welcome was as warm as the ceremony was spectacular with dance, music and heartfelt oratory reflecting our special relationship through the legacy of our missionaries and the diaspora in Ireland.

Farwell and Thanks to John Kekeh, 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:30:29 GMT

Farwell and Thanks to John Kekeh, 2023

In September, Team Ireland bid a fond farewell to John Kekeh, who made a valuable contribution to the political & economic portfolios. John was a regular visitor to Lagos and we wish him & his family well.

Meeting with Governor Sanwo-Olu, 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:18:55 GMT

Meeting with Governor Sanwo-Olu, 2023

Ambassador and Honorary Consul Connie Guilfoyle met with the Governor of Lagos, Hon Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Exciting opportunities to deepen partnerships in technology, finance, education, creative arts, culture & diaspora leveraging Ireland’s strengths in areas key to the Governor’s ambitious plans transforming Nigeria’s business and cultural hub.

A renewable energy hub has set up shop in the midlands

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:07:00 GMT

A renewable energy hub has set up shop in the midlands

The new hub aims to create a ‘centre of excellence’ for the region, by supporting the commercial sector and homes that want access to renewable energy options.

A new Renewable Energy Hub has been launched in Offaly, in order to create a cluster of local and international companies developing new technologies for the sector.

The hub has been established in the Birr Technology Centre and aims to create a “centre of excellence” for Ireland’s midlands. It is hoped that companies located at the hub will provide a range of services for both the commercial sector and for homes that want renewable energy options.

The hub is located in the Birr centre’s enterprise building, which is also receiving a deep energy retrofit and renewable energy upgrades. The hub was officially opened by Minister of State Pippa Hackett.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hackett said the Renewable Energy Hub has the potential to be “a beacon in Ireland for cutting-edge renewable energy projects”.

“To my mind, there is no better place to have that beacon than in Offaly, a county at the heart of the midlands, leading the way forward in the brown to green transition,” Hackett said.

Multiple renewable energy companies attended the launch to showcase their technology offerings, such as Renewables Ireland, JFW Renewables, SolarSol and PSF Insulations.

Denis Madden, the owner of the Birr Technology Centre and CEO of European Tech Hubs, said the hub has opened after a wave of energy price shocks last year and “the necessity to greatly reduce our use of fossil fuels”.

“The midlands in particular are affected by the transition to cleaner and greener sources of energy,” Madden said. “We are promoting the establishment here of firms with local, national and international ambitions.

“We are similarly interested in attracting and providing a supportive environment for overseas renewable energy technology companies to develop their technology here, and address the Irish and European market from here. The market is expanding very rapidly and a local presence and commitment will support their expansion.”

Last year, Ireland approved the use of EU funding to help the midlands move away from fossil fuels. Under this plan , €169m will be used over a 10-year period to create new green jobs, restore damaged peatlands and alleviate economic impacts that come from a transition to climate neutrality.
Leigh Mc Gowran

This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found
here .

An immune protein stops ovarian cancer growth, study suggests

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 23:48:57 GMT

The pre-clinical models suggest a certain protein is able to directly kill tumour cells and tell other immune cells to prevent the cancer from spreading around the body

A new study suggests a certain protein in our immune system is able to stop the spread of ovarian cancer cells. The research looked at high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, a particularly dangerous and complex form of ovarian cancer.

It is believed to be the most common form of ovarian cancer, but it also has a low survival rate. Patients are usually not diagnosed until later stages, when the disease has metastasised – spread to other parts of the body. Roughly 400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in Ireland.

To find preventions and cures for this form of cancer, a research team co-led by Trinity College Dublin researcher Dr Nollaig Bourke looked at ‘interferon epsilon’, a type of protein found in the immune system.

Interferons are immune signalling proteins that can kill tumour cells and activate anti-tumour immune responses. Bourke said women with high grade serous ovarian cancer no longer had the “normal expression” of this particular immune protein in their reproductive tract.

“This was really interesting to us as we knew that interferon epsilon was part of a family of proteins known for their anti-tumour activities and we wondered what would happen if we could try restore this lost expression,” Bourke said. “Could giving interferon epsilon help block the growth of ovarian cancer cells and therefore prevent the growth of primary and secondary tumours?”

In the pre-clinical models in this new study , Bourke claims that this immune protein was able to directly kill tumour cells and also instructed other immune cells to target the cancer cells involved in metastasis, “thus blocking the development of secondary tumours”.

The study involved Trinity alumni Dr Nicole Campbell and Dr Niamh Mangan, along with researchers in the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia. Campbell is the study’s joint first author and has been working for years on understanding how treatments targeting the immune system can help fight cancer.

“Cancer immunotherapies have been very successful in the treatment of other types of cancer, but they have had limited success in ovarian cancer – we’re looking to change that,” Campbell said.

Prof Paul Hertzog of the Hudson Institute of Medical Research said interferon epsilon is naturally made in cells that line organs such as the female reproductive tract.

“Our recent discovery is that it also acts as a tumour suppressant, and that it is lost during the process of ovarian tumour formation,” Hertzog said. “We know from pre-clinical models that administering it will dramatically inhibit ovarian cancer growth, particularly in cases where the cancer has metastasised into the peritoneal cavity.”

The team said they now aim to better understand how this protein works to protect against ovarian cancer and move closer to “first-in-human” clinical trials. The goal is to use interferon epsilon to make a new immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Leigh Mc Gowran

This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found here .

Intel’s €17bn Leixlip facility hits chip production milestone

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 23:41:17 GMT

Intel said Fab 34 began running a ‘First Full Loop’ of silicon, which means the site can now focus on producing Intel’s latest line of processors later this year.

Intel has reached an important milestone in its Fab 34 facility, bringing it one step closer to producing the company’s latest semiconductors.

The new facility has begun running its “First Full Loop” of silicon this month, which means the facility managed to run silicon wafers from start to finish through the process steps in the cleanroom.

The facility is located at the company’s site in Leixlip, Co Kildare. Work began on this fab in 2019 . The site also received a boost when Intel announced a €33bn investment to boost its semiconductor manufacturing in Europe.

Intel says Fab 34 represents an investment of €17bn and doubles the company’s manufacturing space in Ireland. It is also Intel’s first “high-volume” manufacturing location for Intel 4 process products.

Before the latest milestone, Intel said Fab 34 was focused on running “level one diagnostics” across segments of the production line. The First Full Loop is complex as it requires synchronised efforts from multiple teams, according to Intel.

The successful milestone means the facility can change its focus to the “entire fab production line”, with the goal of producing Intel’s latest line of processors later this year. The company previously claimed its new chips will usher in a “new era” in chipmaking.

IDM 2.0
Intel has been working on its IDM 2.0 strategy, which involves combining Intel’s internal factory network with third-party capacity as well as new Intel foundry services. Ireland’s role in this ambitious plan included the creation of 1,600 permanent high-skilled jobs in 2021.

In April, Intel entered a multi-year agreement with UK chip designer Arm to bring new designs into its foundries, as part of this IDM strategy. In June, Intel announced a $4.6bn investment into a new chip plant in Poland to cater to anticipated demand for its products in the European market.

Earlier this month, Intel expanded its partnership with chip designer Synopsys to bring new IP and automation services to its Foundry Services division.

However, Intel’s planned acquisition of Israeli chipmaker Tower Semiconductor was cancelled recently by both parties. It is believed the termination of this $5.4bn deal is due to ongoing trade disputes between China and the US.

Leigh Mc Gowran
This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found here

How Ireland is Becoming a leader in Renewable Energy Technology

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 23:37:47 GMT

From high tides and strong winds to a government that is strongly supportive of foreign investment and startups, Ireland is at the forefront of Europe’s renewables revolution. And Japanese companies are keen to engage.

Perched on Europe’s western fringe, with strong prevailing winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is better placed than most countries to generate energy from wind power. What’s more, its strong track record of encouraging startups and attracting foreign investment means it is developing the underlying technology to exploit that potential to the fullest.

Ireland is already the highest-ranked country in the world in the share of electricity demand provided by onshore wind, according to IDA Ireland, the country’s inward investment agency. It is also second in Europe in wind and solar energy production per capita. Building on this strong position, the Irish government has set out ambitious plans for greater reductions in the country’s use of fossil fuels and further development of its offshore wind capacity.

The country plans to generate up to 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, as specified by its Climate Action Plan 2023, updated in December last year. With 9GW to come from onshore wind resources and at least 5GW from offshore wind, the strategy also envisages some 8GW from solar power by the end of the decade. These plans should help the country meet its targets to cut carbon emissions by 51% by the end of the decade and to reach net-zero carbon emissions no later than 2050, as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, signed into law in July 2021.

The ambitious targets also represent a large business opportunity, which government bodies are keen to support. “IDA Ireland is encouraging companies that are active in the green sector to establish onshore and offshore wind farms, solar power farms, energy storage (battery) facilities and the wider peripheral infrastructures,” says Derek Fitzgerald, director of the IDA’s Japan office.

Ireland and Japan Partner to Boost Renewables

The potential of Ireland’s renewable energy sector has attracted keen interest from some of Japan’s largest companies, with a string of deals unveiled over the past year.

In March 2022, Mitsui & Co. announced it was buying a 27.5% equity stake in Dublin-headquartered Mainstream Renewable Energy, in return for an investment of €575 million ($582 million, ¥77.0 billion); in July 2022, Mainstream’s majority shareholder, Norway’s Aker Horizons, integrated its Aker Offshore Wind into the group, and Mitsui & Co.’s position was reduced slightly, to 24.9%. Mainstream has a portfolio of 16.6GW of energy assets across Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific, and plans to add another 25GW of capacity over the next 10 years. Mainstream’s projects include a stake in Progression Energy’s 800MW floating offshore wind project in Japan, now in the early stages of development.

Another Irish company, renewable energy trading and services firm ElectroRoute, also has a Japanese owner. The company was set up in 2011, and in 2016, Mitsubishi Corporation bought a 60% stake in the business. The Japanese firm went further in July 2022, buying out the remaining shareholders and taking full control of the business for an undisclosed sum.

ElectroRoute works with clients across Europe, and the backing of Mitsubishi has enabled it to also expand in the Japanese market through ElectroRoute Japan, established in April 2022. Among other activities, this division is involved in a 10-year power purchase agreement that Mitsubishi signed with Amazon Web Services in September 2021 to supply electricity to AWS data centers. ElectroRoute will forecast the output of the solar power plants that supply the power, which have a combined capacity of around 22MW, and will also hedge power generation imbalances. Smart-grid specialist Viotas is another Irish firm with ambitions in the Japanese market. In April 2022, Mark Gilsenan, its director of international operations, told the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce that the company saw Japan as “a very attractive market,” and said that Viotas planned to set up a subsidiary company there in the coming years.

Investment Winds Blow in Both Directions

Investments continue to move in the other direction, too. In November last year, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced that it was buying Scottish floating wind energy specialist Flotation Energy in a deal that, among other things, gives it a stake in two offshore wind farms in Irish waters: the 1GW fixed wind farm at Greystones, south of Dublin, and the 1.5GW floating wind farm at Blackwater, off the coast of Wexford.

Opportunities also exist to provide clean energy to homes and businesses outside Ireland, and the country aims to become a green energy exporter to the rest of Europe, both via electricity interconnectors with nearby countries and by providing green hydrogen, produced using renewable sources. Such exports could use technology provided by Dublin-based Supernode, which has developed a system using superconducting cables that provides ultra-efficient long-range transmission of electricity.

Japanese companies have been getting involved in this part of the industry, too. Sumitomo Electric Industries is part of a consortium with Germany’s Siemens Energy that was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in September 2021 for the Greenlink Interconnector, a subsea and underground electricity interconnector cable linking the electrical grids of Ireland and Great Britain, with onward connections to continental Europe. The link will have a nominal capacity of 500MW and is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2024.

Hitachi Energy is also involved in Ireland’s international electricity connections, supplying HVDC (high-voltage direct current) light converter transformers to the Irish transmission system operator EirGrid for the 500MW East West Interconnector link to Wales.

And Derek Fitzgerald points out that other Japanese companies not involved directly in the energy sector are also investing to achieve their own climate goals. Astellas Pharmaceutical, for example, has installed a wind turbine generating 1.7GWh, a wood chip boiler and a number of solar panels enabling it to reduce its emissions by over 60%. Another Japanese company, Alps Alpine, runs its Irish plant completely on renewable energy supplied from the grid.

Irish and Japanese companies have also partnered to develop projects further afield. In August 2021, Cork, Ireland-based DP Energy entered into a joint development agreement with Chubu Electric Power Co. and shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) to develop the first phase of the Uisce Tapa (“fast water”) tidal energy project in the Bay of Fundy, in Nova Scotia, Canada. This is the first time a Japanese company has been involved in an overseas tidal energy project.

The Bay of Fundy has some of the highest tides in the world, making it ideal for such a project. The first turbine is due to be installed this year as part of the project’s first phase, involving three 1.5MW turbines; the second and third turbines are due to start operating in 2026. The second phase of the project will double the total generation capacity to 9MW.

Ireland’s advances in renewable energy have been strongly supported by the government and are backed by a network of advanced research centers around the country, including the SFI Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (AMBER), headquartered at Trinity College Dublin and the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork. These centers have been developing super-efficient solar cells and energy storage technologies and are backed by the state-funded Science Foundation Ireland.

Ireland’s expertise and the opportunities it offers investors are a good fit for Japanese companies, given Tokyo’s goal to have 60% renewable energy by 2030 and to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050—a target that will necessitate the development of Japan’s own substantial offshore wind resources.

Learn more....

Nigeria secure last-16 berth as Ireland make history

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:56:41 GMT

Nigeria draw 0-0 with Republic of Ireland to seal a place in the last 16

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Nigeria | Group B

Nigeria have qualified for the knockout phase of the FIFA Women's World Cup™ for the third time after battling out a 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland on Monday.

Ireland's fate was sealed before this game after narrow defeats to Australia and Canada – but the stalemate with the Super Falcons saw them claim a first-ever Women's World Cup point.

Nigeria will be joined by Australia in the last 16, with the co-hosts sending Olympic champions Canada home following an emphatic 4-0 win.

An evenly-contested clash at Brisbane Stadium began with Ireland enjoying early stages of pressure, with captain Katie McCabe having the first effort of the game when her shot fizzed narrowly wide.

Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala was gifted a golden opportunity to fire her nation ahead after Louise Quinn gave the ball away under pressure. Forced wide, the Barcelona forward could only watch on as her effort curled away from the far post.

One of the most memorable moments of the game came just after the interval, when Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan pulled off one of the saves of the tournament. Uchenna Kanu got on the end of Toni Payne’s lofted ball into the box, but her header was parried on to the bar from Brosnan, who was quick to get down to meet the effort and keep her side in the game.

Despite plenty of efforts on goal, Nigeria couldn’t quite find the finishing touch that would see them snatch victory and top the group – they therefore progress as the second-placed team in Group B.

Ireland seeks digital technology exchange with Nigeria

Wed, 17 May 2023 06:44:20 GMT

Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Peter Ryan has reiterated Ireland’s commitment towards deeper technological exchange with Nigeria.

He also said that through the European Union and Ireland’s work in Nigeria, they are contributing to the development of a more prosperous, secure and safe Nigeria.

He said this during the Ambassadorial Forum, held by Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) themed “Nigeria -Ireland Relations”, yesterday.

He stated that there is huge opportunity for progress in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria’s journey somehow reflects theirs as an independent nation.

“I see the resilience, creativity and innovation of the Nigerian public. The European headquarters of most technological equipment and services used globally is Ireland. Nigeria and Ireland are known as creatives and technology is a good place for greater collaboration especially among the youths,” he said.

Saying that Nigeria is the largest African diaspora in Ireland, he said the nation has seen an increase in the new generation of Nigerians, especially in their business and cultural space and Island treasures and intends to nurture them.

Speaking on peace, he emphasised that the world cannot address global challenges, conflict, climate change, and food insecurity, without an effective robust United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

He said the Security Council remained a pivotal institution at the heart of the multilateral system.

Director General, NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said the ambassadorial forum has been created to deepen the arena of cooperation, association and relationship between Nigeria and other countries.

He added that from the dialogue, one could expect that the relations would expand and be strengthened at every level.

“At citizen level, we have heard that Ireland is strong in areas of sports, education, culture and Ireland is now more strongly involved in the development sector in Nigeria.

“One of the lessons we can learn is that peace is central to Ireland’s relations with the rest of the world. It is a great thing to partner with them,” he said.

Nigerians In Ireland Are Doing Incredibly Well - H.E. Peter Ryan & Yemi Adenuga

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 19:46:31 GMT